Chapter 1: Introduction to the Course: Republic Act 1425

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Recognize the historical background and context of the Rizal Law and its important
provisions;
2. Critically assess the effectiveness and significance of the Rizal Course;
3. Reflect upon themselves the idea and principles of Rizal in their life.

INTRODUCTION: Republic Act 1425

If you were to ask or say something to Dr. Jose Rizal, what would it be? Write at least two (2)
questions on the silhouettes beside our national hero below. Then, answer the questions that
follow.

1. What do you know about Dr. Jose Rizal?

2. What is your reason for asking or saying those things to Rizal?
3. Why do you think you need to study the life and works of Rizal?

THE RIZAL LAW AND ITS IMPORTANCE

Republic Act. No. 1425, also known as the Rizal Law has been enacted on June 12, 1956 and
was sponsored and authored mainly by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel and Senator Claro M.
Recto. Rizal Law is a mandate to include in the course curricula of all public and private schools,
colleges and universities the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me
Tangere and El Filibusterismo.

It is important to note that before the enactment of the Rizal Law, Senate Bill No. 438 was
submitted to the Senate Committee on Education on April 3, 1956. It is “an Act to Include in the
Curricula of All Public and Private Schools, Colleges and Universities courses on the Life Works
and Writings of JOSE RIZAL, particularly his novels NOLI ME TANGERE and EL FILIBUSTERISMO,
Authorizing the Printing and Distribution Thereof, and for Other Purposes.

On April 17, 1956 the bill was sponsored and presented to the members of the Senate or the
Upper House by the late Senator Jose P. Laurel, who was then the Chairman of the Committee.

According to the late Senator Jose P. Laurel the dissemination of ideas and ideals of Jose Rizal
through the reading of his works, notably the NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO is the
main purpose of the bill.
He stated that “Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo must be read by all Filipinos. They must
be taken to heart, for in their pages we see ourselves as a mirror, our defects as well as our
strength, our virtues as well as our vices. Only then would we become conscious as a people,
and so learn to prepare ourselves for painful sacrifices that ultimately lead to self-reliance, self-
respect and freedom (Laurel,Jr.,131).

Meanwhile, Congressman Jacobo Z. Gonzales also filed a similar bill called House Bill No. 5561
to the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, akin to Senate Bill No. 438, House Bill No. 5561
had also been opposed contending its constitutionality and religiosity. It was then that a
substitute bill has been proposed to include all the works and writings of Jose Rizal, ruling out
the exclusivity of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo as the main features of the previous
bills.

Moreover, the late Senator Jose P. Laurel asserted the importance of reading the original and
unexpurgated edition of Rizal’s novel because the true purpose of studying these will be
defeated if not followed. On May 12, 1956 and May 14, 1956, Senate Bill No. 438 and House Bill
No. 5561 were both unanimously approved on the second reading and in the Lower House.

On June 12, 1956, the bill was signed into law by President Ramon Magsaysay, giving birth to
Republic Act 1425 or the Rizal Law.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1425

AN ACT TO INCLUDE IN THE CURRICULA OF ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES COURSES ON THE LIFE, WORKS AND WRITINGS OF JOSE RIZAL, PARTICULARLY HIS
NOVELS NOLI ME TANGERE AND EL FILIBUSTERISMO, AUTHORIZING THE PRINTING AND
DISTRIBUTION THEREOF, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

WHEREAS, today, more than any other period of our history, there is a need for a re-dedication
to the ideals of freedom and nationalism for which our heroes lived and died;

WHEREAS, it is meet that in honoring them, particularly the national hero and patriot, Jose
Rizal,we remember with special fondness and devotion their lives and works that have shaped
the nationalcharacter;

WHEREAS, the life, works and writing of Jose Rizal, particularly his novels Noli Me Tangere and
ElFilibusterismo, are a constant and inspiring source of patriotism with which the minds of the
youth,especially during their formative and decisive years in school, should be suffused;

WHEREAS, all educational institutions are under the supervision of, and subject to regulation
bythe State, and all schools are enjoined to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic
conscienceand to teach the duties of citizenship; Now, therefore,
SECTION 1. Courses on the life, works and writings of Jose Rizal, particularly his novel Noli
MeTangere and El Filibusterismo, shall be included in the curricula of all schools, colleges and
universities,public or private: Provided, That in the collegiate courses, the original or
unexpurgated editions of theNoli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their English translation
shall be used as basic texts.The Board of National Education is hereby authorized and directed
to adopt forthwith measuresto implement and carry out the provisions of this
Section, including the writing and printing ofappropriate primers, readers and textbooks.
The Board shall, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity ofthis Act, promulgate rules and
regulations, including those of a disciplinary nature, to carry out andenforce the provisions of
this Act. The Board shall promulgate rules and regulations providing for theexemption of
students for reasons of religious belief stated in a sworn written statement, from
therequirement of the provision contained in the second part of the first paragraph of this
section; but notfrom taking the course provided for in the first part of said paragraph. Said rules
and regulations shalltake effect thirty (30) days after their publication in the Official Gazette.

SECTION 2. It shall be obligatory on all schools, colleges and universities to keep in their
librariesan adequate number of copies of the original and unexpurgated editions of the Noli Me
Tangere and ElFilibusterismo, as well as of Rizal’s other works and biography. The said
unexpurgated editions of the NoliMe Tangere and El Filibusterismo or their translations in
English as well as other writings of Rizal shall beincluded in the list of approved books for
required reading in all public or private schools, colleges anduniversities. The Board of National
Education shall determine the adequacy of the number of books,depending upon the
enrollment of the school, college or university.

SECTION 3. The Board of National Education shall cause the translation of the Noli Me
Tangereand El Filibusterismo, as well as other writings of Jose Rizal into English, Tagalog
and the principalPhilippine dialects; cause them to be printed in cheap, popular
editions; and cause them to bedistributed, free of charge, to persons desiring to read
them, through the Purok organizations and BarrioCouncils throughout the country.

SECTION 4. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as amendment or repealing section

ninehundred twenty-seven of the Administrative Code, prohibiting the discussion of religious
doctrines bypublic school teachers and other person engaged in any public school.

SECTION 5. The sum of three hundred thousand pesos is hereby authorized to be

appropriatedout of any fund not otherwise appropriated in the National Treasury to carry out
the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Think about this again: Why study the life and works of Rizal? It is apparent that during Rizal’s
time, the Filipino identity is already diminishing—this was the rationale behind the enactment
of the Rizal Law, which seeks to accomplish the following objectives :

1. To rededicate the lives of the youth to the ideals of freedom and nationalism, for which
our heroes lived and died;
2. To play tribute to our national hero for devoting his life and works for shaping the
Filipino character;
3. To gain an inspiring source of patriotism thru the study of Rizal’s life, works and writings.

The late Senator Jose P. Laurel, who sponsored the said law emphasized the need to know and
imbibe the great ideals and principles for which Rizal died. After all, Rizal was the founder of
Filipino nationality and the architect of the Filipino nation. It is by reading and studying Rizal’s
life, teachings and writings that the young generation of the Philippines will be able to gain
incorruptible confidence, direction, courage and determination to move forward in our people’s
journey towards an abundant life.

The teaching of Rizal Course in higher education institutions in our country today is anchored
on the patriotic policy statements of Rizal Law and the patriotic goals set by the then Board on
National Education (Capino et. Al, 1997). These goals are as follows:

1. To recognize the relevance of Rizal’s ideals, thoughts, teaching, and life values to
present conditions in the community;
2. To apply Rizal’s ideas in the solution of day-to-day situations and problems in
contemporary life;
3. To develop an understanding and appreciation of the qualities, behavior and character
of Rizal; and
4. To foster the development of moral character, personal discipline, citizenship and
vocational efficiency among the Filipino youth.

Thus, the importance of the study of Rizal’s life, works and writings is to instill in ourselves the
idea and ideals of Jose Rizal, and to develop a deeper awareness and understanding of its
relevance so that in the long run, we may be able to apply them in our daily lives and become
an active participant in nation-building.